The Life of a Great Sportsman 



Viceroy of India, holding office from 1905 to 1910; filling 

 in these two appointments the highest posts it is possible for 

 a subject to occupy, and in each acquitting himself brilliantly. 

 He left both countries in a far sounder condition than he found 

 them. In Canada, as perhaps was natural, where he cemented 

 the tie to the Mother country so much more closely, the effect 

 of his good government was swiftly traced, as the minds of our 

 brethren across the water move in a line with ours and re- 

 present recent growth. In India, that most wonderful and 

 interesting of our possessions and the most difficult to bring 

 into line with our modern ideas, the effect of his rule has been 

 slower, but he undoubtedly proved that an Englishman, 

 although ruling an alien nation, alien in religion, thought and 

 long eras of mystic civilization, could sympathize with them in 

 their essentially different attributes of mind and feeling. Also 

 he convinced them, that although we could be true to our 

 ideals we could respect theirs, and honestly endeavour to do 

 justice to their old-world beliefs ; above all he did all in his 

 power by personal action to break down the terrible colour 

 prejudice. Then, too, he displayed a personal courage, whether 

 in sport, or in the performance of his Viceregal duties ; and 

 there is no doubt that courage such as Lord Minto displayed 

 captures the heart of any people, and is recognized and re- 

 spected. 



When I look back upon those days at Limber it seems 

 almost impossible to think that our dear friend, and familiar 

 companion, realized these triumphs of statecraft, but on the 

 other hand it is very easy to believe that in so doing he 

 remained as ever just the simple-hearted, kindly gentleman, 

 loving power not for the sake of his own aggrandisement, but 

 for the good he could do for mankind. And as the child is 

 father to the man, so was the then Lord Melgund, as I knew 



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